YA Buddy Readers' Corner ♥ discussion

Babylon Restored, formerly Manhattan, may give David answers. Ruled by the mysterious High Epic, Regalia, David is sure Babylon Restored will lead him to what he needs to find. And while entering another city oppressed by a High Epic despot is a gamble, David's willing to risk it. Because killing Steelheart left a hole in David's heart. A hole where his thirst for vengeance once lived. Somehow, he filled that hole with another Epic—Firefight. And he's willing to go on a quest darker, and more dangerous even, than the fight against Steelheart to find her, and to get his answers.

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Date changed. Restarting February 6th 2020. Happy Reading ☺

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I'm running a little late on this one but will be starting it tomorrow :)

Just finished Steelheart so I can also start this tomorrow.

Lily wrote: "Just finished Steelheart so I can also start this tomorrow."

Awesome :) I'll be jumping into it this afternoon.

Just finished Steelheart and waiting for my library copy of Firefight to come in.

Part 1- The beginning seems to be starting off a bit predictably. Have they mentioned Regalia’s powers or are they yet to be found out? I’m wondering if we will meet other branches of the Reckoners at some point.

I’m enjoying Obliteration and Regalia. (view spoiler)[ I feel kinda bad that Obliteration is my favorite Epic other than the Professor so far. Exel and Mizzy’s personalities are great so far. (hide spoiler)]

Part 1. Yes, it does seem a little obvious here. Like a reminder of book one but just dropping a few hints.

I'm running SUPER late on this BR as I thought my library hold would have come in by now. I have the book and am going to start this one, tomorrow :)

That’s fine. (view spoiler)[ The spyril is really cool so far but I’m not happy with Megan being back. I’m afraid that her and David are going to develop a relationship and that would be absolutely terrible. I’m beginning to be curious about the “enhancement” of powers that Obliteration was discussing. (hide spoiler)]

I’m still reading it but got caught up with some family stuff. Part way through part two-introduction to Regalia is interesting.

Part two. Curious to see what Prof is planning. Increasingly irritated by the fact that Sanderson has David referring to metaphors when he’s using similes - how did nobody spot this?

Lily wrote: "I’m enjoying Obliteration and Regalia.

(view spoiler)[ Obliteration sounded almost reasonable when talking with David. (hide spoiler)]

Lily wrote: "That’s fine. [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ Just got to ch24 so David is practising with the spiral. I'm convinced he's got more powers than those he's taken from the prof. I don't think he will end up with Megan - it's the focus on her appearance hang-over from book one. He likes the idea of her. (hide spoiler)]

Karen wrote: "Lily wrote: "That’s fine. [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I’m pretty sure he at least has the power to turn invisible since he has been overlooked by enemies at least twice. (hide spoiler)]

Up to part four. (view spoiler)[ I don't want to think badly of Megan, but it does seem that she has used David. However, David isn't going to remain on his own while they go out and try this take-down. The question is, at what point will he intervene/compromise the plans? And will it work? The sliver of doubt David has now about Prof gives him the motivation to do his own thing - and I think the invisibility is going to be just a part of what we end up learning about him. (hide spoiler)]

Well, that didn't quite go as I'd expected. Some great moments, but - overall - this was unevenly paced. Full review on home page, but I have been left interested enough to read Calamity and see if things take the turn I'm expecting.

Just starting on this one :)

I’ve enjoyed this series more than I expected to. They’re paced quite well, and easy to read. Can’t wait to see what you make of this. I’m waiting for my copy of Mistborn 1 from the library...

I read The Final Empire last month and ADORED IT. I'm currently reading The Well of Ascension and it is just as good so far. I hope you enjoy the series as much as I am :)

First quarter - (view spoiler)[This dove right into the action and I really appreciated that. David stating that he didn't realise how lonely he was until he joined The Reckoners and Prof's speech about his paternal feelings for the city brought emotion to the scenes as well.

Part one flew and the characters left Newcago early on, which had me excited to explore more of this new world. The semi-underwater city they entered is very atmospheric. I want to explore it further but loved all we did see, before all hell broke loose!

I wasn't ready for David to spot Megan in the crowd and her return didn't make me happy, although I could have guessed it from the title. I really hope the book doesn't dissolve into scenes of nothing but David pining after her! (hide spoiler)]

Lily wrote: "Part 1- The beginning seems to be starting off a bit predictably. Have they mentioned Regalia’s powers or are they yet to be found out? I’m wondering if we will meet other branches of the Reckoners..."

Oooh that would be interesting, to meet other branches!

Second quarter - (view spoiler)[Regalia recruited Obliteration!!!

Even though I don't really gel with the humour in this series, I'm more acclimatised to it in this book and it is bothering me less. I also actually laughed out loud at, "step three: Mizzy gets a cookie." It's only a small line but it's the furst time the humour has helped me to bond with the characters and see them as a beloved close-circle.

Pages later he likened Megan to a potato on a minefield...and that humour impressed me rather less so! (hide spoiler)]

Third quarter - (view spoiler)[Not sure exactly what it is but I am intrigued about the plot without being super invested in it. This isn't impressing me, but I can't pinpoint why.

Some of this feels like the same plot as book one, but with Regalia in the place of Steelheart. Also, this third quarter is basically a return of the Megan and David love story. Also, David keeps insisting he isn't a nerd every few pages, which is annoying and unnecessary. (hide spoiler)]

Fourth quarter - (view spoiler)[I'm not sure why David was so surprised that the Reckoners would want nothing to do with him after finding out he was consorting with Megan. Setting him up as a trap was a low blow but, to them, he looked like he was playing two sides.

This really picked up, in the last 100 pages and was a return to the action which dominated the first half. I liked this without loving it, though. Looking forward to continuing on but it isn't a new favourite Sanderson, for me. (hide spoiler)]

Lily wrote: "I’m enjoying Obliteration and Regalia. [spoilers removed]"

I really liked Mizzy, too.

Karen wrote: "Lily wrote: "That’s fine. [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

Those were exactly my thoughts when reading this part, too!

Karen wrote: "Well, that didn't quite go as I'd expected. Some great moments, but - overall - this was unevenly paced. Full review on home page, but I have been left interested enough to read Calamity and see if..."

I completely anticipated this going a different way too, but it's left me excited to continue with book three.

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Date changed. Restarting April 15th 2020. Happy Reading ☺

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I'm going to join in! Just have to finish book one real quick!

Started a couple days early. Just finished chapter 9.
(view spoiler)[Here I was, thinking Newcago was a ultra bizarre place, with everything being steel. But Babylon Restored takes it a step further. Also, Regalia is really fucking powerful. Very Evil-Queen-like. (hide spoiler)]

For some reason I thought we were strting this earlier so I thought I missed it! Just started today:
(view spoiler)[ Ragalia is insanely powerful and a little intimidating. David's knowledge on the epics is a little insane. Sharing powers is cool. (hide spoiler)]

I was quite busy recently, going to start in a couple of days, sorry :(

Philosophy on living life with Epics
(view spoiler)[ I think of Animal Farm or 1984 when thinking about something like this. With powerful people ready to kill, what do you do in your life? Do you live with constant fear and hope to live a long life? Do you enjoy life and except you might die? I think this is a difficult question to answer especially when a society of people life in a certain way. David is currently experiencing this type of dilemma because the way these people live, work asnd play is astonishing. Living in Newcago has made him fearful: walking with his eyes down, staying away from trouble and now, he can "relax"! When Missy tells him to relax, he thinks "theres that word again." can you imagine now really knowing that word?
(hide spoiler)]

Ouch (view spoiler)[ Damn, poor David, just being bate. What do y'all think about Megan? Trustworthy or nah? (hide spoiler)]

Quirks wrote: "Started a couple days early. Just finished chapter 9.
[spoilers removed]"


(view spoiler)[ I will never view water and NY the same way again. She is one badass powerful, smart lady (hide spoiler)]

Is it me, or is this not Sanderson's best? It is good, but IDK, maybe I am just used to his epic fantacies/space travel? LOL

Finished (view spoiler)[ Bye Professor, you are what you were always afraid of, your fear was your weakness. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 26
(view spoiler)[I really hate the righteous types like Obliteration. And now he's getting ready to melt (boil?) another city. They're stop him though. I'm kinda glad this happened because the pace will pick up. What I'm not glad for is the Megan-killed-Sam. I want that resolved. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 35
(view spoiler)[I can't believe Sanderson just threw the multiverse at us without any indication that he plans to explore it. Not that I think he has to. But the multiverse is usually a big deal, and here it's just the powers of one Epic and nothing more. (hide spoiler)]

Amanda wrote: "Is it me, or is this not Sanderson's best? It is good, but IDK, maybe I am just used to his epic fantacies/space travel? LOL"

No, Sanderson's definitely got better books. It's the weakest in terms of originality, at least, when it comes to the world-building. But I still like the series.

Quirks wrote: "Amanda wrote: "Is it me, or is this not Sanderson's best? It is good, but IDK, maybe I am just used to his epic fantacies/space travel? LOL"

No, Sanderson's definitely got better books. It's the w..."


I do too, a few months ago, I read the last book first, and like these are really good stand alones even if you don't fully know some of the characters pasts.

I finally managed to start reading Mitosis (it's a small 1.5 book in the series) and right after that going to read Firefight.

Chapter 11 I love the setting and also the idea, but compared to other Sanderson's works this one is weak :( I do enjoy reading, but something is always missing.
(view spoiler)[
Maybe the world here is not as detailed and meaningful as in his fantasy series. I hope the story will develop into something great and unexpected.
(hide spoiler)]

Amanda wrote: "Quirks wrote: "Amanda wrote: "Is it me, or is this not Sanderson's best? It is good, but IDK, maybe I am just used to his epic fantacies/space travel? LOL"

No, Sanderson's definitely got better bo..."

Wait, you read Calamity first? That might have been a bad idea since you'd already know most of the things revealed.

50% Still ok, but nothing special. Definitely not his best series.
(view spoiler)[Though I love the idea about cities. My imagination draws those great pictures with steel Newcago and New York covered with water. Now I can't go to New York without recalling this image :D
Finally he met Megan. I hope this line will develop into kinda romantic (happy, but not too sweet) homecoming story. Really need this pinch of sweetness and I'll be very disappointed if they kill Megan. (hide spoiler)]
Looking forward to read more today.

50-85%
I'm going to finish reading today. Nothing changed, pretty boring and predictable plot. I still like some parts, main ideas, though not the story. Disappointed and hope the final parts of this book and the next book will be better.

Finished
The ending was good!
(view spoiler)[
The epilogue was my favourite part of the book. The story overall was so predictable and simple, I even couldn't connect it with Sanderson. He always has so complex and whole worlds, but this one looks like a draft to me. Though the ending was perfect to reveal all the secrets in the next book. I hope the next book is way more better than this one.
Oh! And I also loved the secret behind the epic's weaknesses. Not love, but fear.
(hide spoiler)]